Established in 1960s on land from Kotla Mubarakpur, Defence Colony was originally conceived as haven for army officers displaced during Partition. Started as quiet settlement of expansive bungalows, evolved into vibrant high-density residential enclave. Today, stately homes stand alongside contemporary low-rise and high-rise apartments.

Area ranks among Delhi's most coveted addresses, offering rare abundance of inviting public spaces, leafy parks, and tree-lined avenues.

Transformation has drawn mixed response. Oldtimers believe infrastructure struggling to keep pace with growth. Major (Retired) Ranjit Singh, president of Defence Colony Welfare Association and 1971 war veteran, notes: "Drainage systems are overburdened, roads bear scars of wear and neglect, and overflowing manholes have become unsettlingly frequent sight." His father was among first plot allottees; their house built in 1959. Many lament official apathy toward resolving pressing concerns.

MCD is desilting the covered portion of Defence Colony drain. The foul odour emanating from the drain is due to untreated sewage. MCD has informed the National Green Tribunal of this.

Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj laid the foundation stone on April 5 for a culvert bridge at Ratan Lal Sachdev Marg in Defence Colony. The bridge has been a long-standing demand from local residents for three to four years. It will be built over the main drain, 25x18 metre with two lanes on each side, replacing an existing deteriorated bridge, part of which collapsed in December 2023. Cost: ₹7.30 crore. Completion timeline: 11 months. The road leads to Barapullah, a critical commuter corridor. Locals have complained of traffic disruptions due to the bridge's poor condition for over a year.

Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) has begun maintenance at Andrews Ganj flyover to repair missing or damaged handrails and boundary walls. The project has an allocation of ₹79.5 lakh and includes precast concrete Jersey barriers to improve safety. The South Delhi connector carries heavy daily commuter traffic between Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony and the Inner Ring Road, helping bypass congested intersections.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, originally built for the 1982 Asian Games and refurbished for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, may be demolished and redeveloped into a modern sports city modelled after Qatar's Aspire Zone and Australian facilities.

The 102-acre complex will be transformed into a state-of-the-art hub featuring world-class training and event infrastructure. Only 28% of the land is currently used; the new facility will be multipurpose, accommodating sports clubs, residential facilities, and entertainment venues.

Real estate impact varies by area:

• Ultra-premium zones like Golf Links (bungalows sell for over ₹100 crore) unlikely to see major price changes; the project will sustain their ultra-premium status
• Jor Bagh, Defence Colony, and Jangpura (mostly redeveloped apartments) may attract high-value tenants and see rental value increases due to enhanced wellness and sports amenities
• Gen Z affluent buyers in redeveloped flats may be drawn to new sports facilities; marginal valuation upticks possible due to demand-supply mismatch
• Modern apartments in Jor Bagh sell for around ₹25 crore

Property prices in premium neighbourhoods typically rise with new infrastructure like flyovers and improved connectivity. India is bidding to host 2036 Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.